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Thread: House voltage

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    Default House voltage

    Ive been having light globes and compact fluro's blow unusually too regularly.

    About 10 years ago i noticed on a current affairs a program where a retired sparky in my area was having problems with things blowing and when he checked the voltage it was well over specs.

    Just checked one of my power points with a digital multi and its reading 259v this morning.

    Whats the suppliers tolerance?

    Do you just call the electricity supplier and ask them to put you on a diffrent phase?

    Do they check it or moniter it with a meter first?

    Id hate to cook the plasma so any help appreciated.



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    seems a bit high, i was under the impression that anyhting over 250 was considered to high, but dont quote me on that.

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    Unhappy Been there done that.

    Quote Originally Posted by Godzilla View Post
    Ive been having light globes and compact fluro's blow unusually too regularly.

    About 10 years ago i noticed on a current affairs a program where a retired sparky in my area was having problems with things blowing and when he checked the voltage it was well over specs.

    Just checked one of my power points with a digital multi and its reading 259v this morning.

    Whats the suppliers tolerance?

    Do you just call the electricity supplier and ask them to put you on a diffrent phase?

    Do they check it or moniter it with a meter first?

    Id hate to cook the plasma so any help appreciated.
    G'Day,
    Many years ago, whilst working for CSIRO in Canberra, I had the same problem with globes. I'd made up a mains recorder for use at work and was able to give the supply authority an output over an extended period. Typically in excess of 250, with off peak going to 260. The transformer was at the back fence.
    Their attitude was that they had to maintain that to ensure adequate voltage at the extremity of each feed. Just our bad luck.
    I was able to place an order at a specialist lighting shop for 250/260 globes and that solved my problems. Not cheap, but all I could do.
    You may have better luck with your supply authority than I did, you'll never know unless you try.
    Kindest Regards, " The Druid ".

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    Had the same problem with compact fluro's and normal lights was going to get a voltage condition meter I think Jaycar or radio part had them but

    I did notice it was when I turned on the lights they blew and there was a bit of a spark noise so I thought to myself dirty contacts in switch causing back EMF replace all light switches a few years ago and haven't had o prob since

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    I had that issue, called Powercor out and they adjusted something on the pole in the street.

    It was cause we had an underground line and they adjusted for average load.


    Switch on a few appliances and tell me if you still have 259 volts...

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    Quote Originally Posted by z80 View Post
    Switch on a few appliances and tell me if you still have 259 volts...
    2 pc's running.
    2 cctv cameras.
    Tv on
    3 lights working.
    Fan in bathroom going.
    Ducted heater running. (yes fan blowing warm air while testing)
    Fridge (running compressor)
    Freezer (not running compressor)
    Sat receiver
    Cordless phones
    Modem
    Wireless network
    and a whole heap of gear in standby mode

    253.8 volts

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    call your electricity provider, you have an overvoltage problem.


    I would prefer 10v less than more.

    To get it done quickly tell them your kidney-dialysis machine is running too fast...



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    Thanks for that Zed, good suggestion.
    Will get the Mrs to call them Monday morning.

    One other question could this contribute to a higher than normal power bill?
    Would 10% more voltage give you a 10% higher power bill?

    Yes i know im running alot of stuff but just curious?

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    sounds like the transformer is not tapping correctley
    give them a call to fix the problem
    but i think they like overvoltage more money in the bank

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    Have a look in the roof mate you might have left the lights on
    When you do things right, people won't be sure that you have done anything at all

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    Quote Originally Posted by best4less View Post
    Have a look in the roof mate you might have left the lights on
    Dont laugh ive had times when ive gone up into the roof cavity to reset the ducted heater, climbed down after closing the man hole, then climbed back up to check if the lights off again.

    Could be all the hydroponic lights im running

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    Here in New Zealand the mains voltage is 230 and there is *supposed* to be a +/- 5% tolerance - ie minimum 218.5 V, maximum 241.5 volts.

    So you could say that 10 volts each way is acceptable.

    I have seen appliances rated at 230 volts start protesting at 250 volts.

    Most things that have switch mode power supplies have a far better tolerance of over or under voltage, as most "universal" SMPS will run anywhere from about 90 volts up to about 260. Above that I've not tried as my variac will only go to 260 volts (from a 230 volt supply).

    On a forum here recently someone posted a thread saying they'd measured 265 volts on their rural property. I told them to call their power supplier - that's WAY too high.

    Rural power is always sh*tty. It's noisy, unreliable and often has wild voltage swings.

    I had to go look at a microwave oven many years ago at a rural property. The lady claimed it took ages to cook anything.
    When I walked in the kitchen I noticed the lights were really dim - I metered the power socket and it was down to 170 volts.

    Over voltage is not uncommon especially in the summer months - demand and use is low, so terminal voltage tends to be higher - plus the fact that when the power company ups the voltage, it causes your appliances and connected equipment to draw more current, therefore they get more revenue from the tariff meters.

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    Hmmm 5% makes it 252v.

    Just went to have another look.
    1 tv on.
    2 pc's on
    1 sat reciever on
    wireless network on
    modem on
    cctv on

    Plasma, surround sound, subwoofers (2), vcr, dvd, fridge, freezer, heater, garage opener, alarm all on standby mode.

    258.6volts.

    Did you just say they up it in summer?
    Its freezing winter here now!
    Hate to think what my voltage is in summer.

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    Hot Water System?? Or is that one of those night time ones
    When you do things right, people won't be sure that you have done anything at all

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    Cool Power and overvoltage.

    Quote Originally Posted by Godzilla View Post
    Thanks for that Zed, good suggestion.
    Will get the Mrs to call them Monday morning.

    One other question could this contribute to a higher than normal power bill?
    Would 10% more voltage give you a 10% higher power bill?

    Yes i know im running alot of stuff but just curious?
    I doubt if this is the worst part of the problem, but, P=VxV/R (resistive load).
    So by my addled brain !0% increase in voltage would be 21% increased power.

    Kindest Regards, " The Druid ".

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    Quote Originally Posted by best4less View Post
    Hot Water System?? Or is that one of those night time ones
    Gas

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    Quote Originally Posted by beer4life View Post
    I doubt if this is the worst part of the problem, but, P=VxV/R (resistive load).
    So by my addled brain !0% increase in voltage would be 21% increased power.

    Kindest Regards, " The Druid ".
    Hmmm maybe i should twist my supply company's arm while im there...

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    People complaining about too much power .... that's different.

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    Read the AS3000 Wiring Rules and SIR rules... You will see what the Rule states on Provider Voltage Fluctuation from the nominal 240Vac.

    It used to be 6% but I think they pushed it out in the last book.

    Basically if the voltage is outside that specified in AS3000 or the SIRs, then you have legal grounds to take them for damaged equipment. It also makes them move fast.

    Voltage is Always higher when you are near the Transformer and least when you are on the end of the line (volt drop). Ever since Adam was a boy they have had to make a compromise between over voltage at the first house, 240v for the middle house and under voltage for the last house.

    Like z80 said, load your house and check for fluctuation (PC and CCTV cams don't count, you need 10amp heaters, toasters, kettles, electric stoves and hot plates) Transformers have been known to "hunt" when load comes on (this should be addressed by the distributor)
    If that is stable, then you just have a higher than normal voltage. Check if it is in the allowable limit.
    Your fridges and freezers will love it a bit high anyway

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    Directly from the ESAA document "Guide to your Electricity Supply" dated 22 March 2002.

    "The standard nominal voltage was reduced from 240 volts to 230 volts while the tolerance range changed to +10%, – 6%. The implementation of these new standard voltages is very much dependent on manufacturers producing equipment suitable for this new standard which allows for voltages which can vary between 253 and 216 volts."
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